Day 5

Cole just completed his 5th day of 2nd grade and I have already shed tears. This time though they were tears of happiness and relief.

Last year wasn't that great for him. There were tears on both of our parts at various times throughout the year. Some of you have heard the stories, they are too long to repeat. He still loved his teacher and her and I had a great relationship by the end of the year. In fact, she lobbied hard to get me a job at his school, before they installed the dreaded hiring freeze. But overall, not a good year.

On Thursday, I went up to the school and ate lunch with Cole. After lunch they have recess. During recess, I mentioned to his new teacher that he didn't have a great year last year and she was welcome to contact me at anytime if she had any concerns. She said that he'd been great and she could tell he was very bright and participated in class and had a lot to offer.

Friday morning I walked him to class to help him carry some donations for the Art teacher. His teacher saw me and said, "Can I speak to you for a moment?" Ahhhh...those words I dreaded to hear. We went to a quiet corner of the room and she said she had thought about what I said about him not having a great year, all night long. She couldn't get over it. She stressed how important it was at kids of this age to love school and wanted to put my anxiety at rest. She went on and on about Cole's strengths and how well spoken and learned he is. About how she can tell he has had a lot of life experiences and can relate that to class discussions. She addressed how, yes he does move around in his seat, but how that is so normal for his age and how she can continue to address this positively in class. She said that even when he doesn't appear to be paying attention, he is and can restate almost verbatim what she said. She continued to say lots of positive things about him. Of course, me being me, I got teary eyed. I explained how that I would do anything to support him and her.

I just feel so good about this year. We have worked hard together all summer and his confidence about school has improved. She seems to have a great relationship him already and I look forward to working with her too.

In other news: I start my 5 week sub job tomorrow. Yipee! The teacher is very sweet and has given me free reign. She said just to pretend that it is my class and that is what I intend to do! Wish me luck.

Back to School

1st day of 2nd grade


I can hardly believe that Cole starts 2nd grade tomorrow. As I've mentioned before I was lucky enough to spend the summer with him. I really enjoyed the time we spend together and I'm actually sad that the summer is already over. I'm nervous about this year, too. He didn't have a great year last year and I'm hoping that this year will be better. We worked hard all summer and he is excited about the new year. He didn't get the teacher I wanted him to have, but he didn't get the one I knew I didn't want, so that's okay. Actually, I have heard good things about his teacher and she seems great and his 1st grade teacher thinks he'll do great in her class.

It is hard being a parent sometimes. You want their road to be smooth and have no bumps, which of course isn't realistic. I know that having trials and errors is what helps him grow as an individual. However, I can't help wishing I had a magic wand to pave a clear road for him (if I did, I might wave it a time or two over my own road...LOL)!

I hope this school year brings great things...to the both of us.

Down Again

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never going to keep me down

Do you remember those song lyrics? Lately, I feel like they are the anthem to my life. Well, I've been knocked down again.

A few weeks ago, a friend called me. She graduated with me and subbed in an adjacent school district. She was lucky and found a job. A teacher from another school called her for a long-term sub job to cover her maternity leave. Since, she is now employed, she recommended me instead. I spoke with the teacher at length. The job was to begin the week before the start of school and until the 2nd week of October. Since, full-time positions are basically non-existent I agreed, even though it would be a long drive for me. I was excited for the opportunity. The only problem was that I am not already a sub in that district. She said that she would notify her principal and they could see what they could do. In the meantime, I got a move on contacting on the sub coordinator with my fingerprint info and certificate.

A few days later, the principal emailed me and said that she would like me to go to training for two days this coming week. This would be unpaid, but a great opportunity to get familiar with the school and the team. So even though, this meant that I would have to not only find and pay for daycare for Cole for those two days, but my friend would have to make arrangements for her three boys that I'm watching. But, still worth it for the opportunity, so I agreed.

Then Monday night the principal emailed me to say that they had spoken with the sub coordinator and I would have to wait to sub until after sub orientation which isn't until the Friday after school starts. She said that they might have to look for someone that was already a sub to make it easier on the kiddos.

Then Tuesday, the teacher emailed me saying everything is a go. She still wanted me for the two days next week and I would come to meet the parents. There would be a sub for the 1st week and I would start on the 2nd week.

So today I stopped by Cole's old daycare to pick-up paperwork to fill out, so I could drop him off those two days next week. Everyone, came out to say hi and give Cole lovin'. One of the girls working there this summer is my friend. She graduated the semester before me and is still looking for a teaching position. We were sharing our miseries looking for positions in this economy and I mentioned the long-term sub job. She said she got one too. We were even more excited when we found out it was the same school. Then she asked what grade and teacher and imagine our surprise when it was the same teacher!

It seems they called her Monday, since she was already a sub in that district. This makes Tuesday's email even weirder. So, I assume they have gone with her which I completely understand since she can start right away. But it would have been nice to know, especially since I'm busting my butt to make child care arrangements and get established in that district. I've emailed the teacher and the principal to find out for sure, but have had no reply (neither has my friend). How ironic, that it was the two of us for the same job and we would find out. So frustrating. So I am back to square one with nothing lined up and a dismal future ahead. Sigh!

Today I got an email from the teacher saying that she wants me. So I am back "in". What a rollercoaster.